painted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been covered or decorated with paint, often referring to objects, surfaces, or artistic works. Example: "The walls of the room were painted a vibrant blue, creating a cheerful atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He said 'we've painted seven paintings on seven doors and I bought all the doors except for yours and I paid 500 shekels for each'.

The Guardian

I know one place where for 200 years there were these trees, I painted them and then one day they were all chopped down.

The Guardian - Arts

To a degree this explains the charged and explicit eroticism of much of his work – though it should be noted that Schiele also painted landscapes throughout his working life.

The Guardian - Arts

While he was well enough the couple went sailing together, and when he was too weak for that he painted obsessively, on cardboard and brown parcel paper, an old bait box, and pieces of china.

The Guardian - Arts

A fans' zone has been set up so that supporters can meet players after games, and for the visit of Atlético, Mestalla had been painted black and orange, with images of former players going up around the ground.

The Guardian - Sport

In Hieronymus Bosch's best known work, The Garden of Earthly Delights, painted at the start of the 16th century, there are two little devils with the wings of the small tortoiseshell and the meadow brown.

The Guardian - Film

The fall and light and shadow of the curtain is painted, an illusion.

The Guardian - Arts

The luggage ramp that led from this lobby to the station has been beautifully restored, and has a small pile of period suitcases – empty and artfully arranged – that include one painted with the name Bram Stoker, who, as well as being the author of Dracula, was Irving's manager at the time of the actor's death.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Faint talks to me about his clowning, he occasionally adopts the pantomime squeak of his painted alter ego.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Thus we spray-painted terrible puns onto bed sheets (oh look, another "Declaration of Waugh") and hoisted them in the air as banners, we slapped on our terry toweling hats, we bought the souvenir tour guides and Channel Nine propaganda pamphlets - still walking away with change from a $10 note – and marvelled in the peerless humour of calling Richard Hadlee a wanker all day.

The Guardian - Sport

The house perches right on the chalk-white dunes and has a relaxed, painted-wood interior finished in contemporary, sun-bleached tones.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "painted" to describe a depiction, ensure the context clearly indicates that paint was the medium used. For example, "The landscape was painted in watercolors."

Common error

Don't use "painted" when a more specific term like "illustrated", "colored", or "coated" would provide a clearer understanding of the process or result.

Linguistic Context

The word "painted" functions primarily as the past participle of the verb "paint". It also acts as an adjective, describing something that has been covered with paint or depicted in paint. As shown by Ludwig, it is a versatile term with various applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Arts

25%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "painted" is a versatile term functioning both as a verb and an adjective, widely used to describe the act of applying paint or the result thereof. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across diverse contexts. While its primary function is descriptive, "painted" is also employed metaphorically. The contexts of usage vary, with News & Media and Arts being the most common. When writing, it's beneficial to consider if a more specific alternative like "coated" or "illustrated" might enhance clarity. The authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times often employ this word, demonstrating its consistent use in reliable contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coated with paint

Focuses on the physical act of applying paint, similar to one definition of "painted".

rendered in paint

Highlights the artistic process of creating something using paint.

colored

A more general term for adding color, where "painted" specifically implies using paint.

finished with paint

Emphasizes the completion of a task with the application of paint.

decorated

Refers to the act of embellishing something, which can include painting.

illustrated

Suggests creating a visual representation, aligning with the 'depicted in paint' definition.

portrayed

Implies a representation, often artistic, similar to a painted depiction.

makeup-clad

Relates to the 'wearing makeup' definition of "painted", focusing on the application of cosmetics.

beautified

Describes making something beautiful, which painting can achieve.

emblazoned

Describes decorating something in a conspicuous way, which painting can achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "painted" in a sentence?

"Painted" can be used to describe something covered in paint, like "The door was painted red", or to describe a depiction in paint, like "He painted a portrait of his wife".

What are some alternatives to the word "painted"?

Depending on the context, you could use "colored", "coated", or "decorated" instead of "painted".

Is it correct to say "painted lady"?

Yes, "painted lady" is an idiomatic expression that can refer to a butterfly or a woman wearing makeup.

What does it mean when something is "painted as" something else?

When something is "painted as" something else, it means it is being portrayed or depicted in a particular way, often in a metaphorical sense. For example, "The politician was painted as a villain by the media".